Austria for Christmas

[Theblacksheepandme]

We are going to Austria for a week at Christmas. We are staying in a nice hotel half board. I have always wanted to go somewhere that feels Christmassy and have good food served to me. We wont be doing any skiing and was wondering if any of you go just for the atmosphere and food. As my question is in style and beauty, would warm walking boots be sufficient with warm clothing. Do I need to wear snow boots? Any advice welcome on what clothing to pack?

It was a particularly nasty winter when I was there, but snow boots were one of the first things I bought when I arrived. The warm boots I'd bought with me just didn't cut it, the cold was coming up through the soles.

The snow boots also had anti slip tread on the soles. I've never seen so many young people on crutches, assume they all went tits up on the ice!

Hoesbeforebroes
Thanks for that. I will have a look online at snow boots.

Are you going to a ski resort? Then you'll want proper snow boots. If your going to a city, you'll be probably be fine in normal shoes for a few days. It will be cold, and rainy most likely. You might have snow, but might not and boots are expensive and hot if its unlikely to snow.

No idea, but it sounds wonderful! I'm

If there will be snow you will need snow boots, otherwise normal boots will be fine. Depends where you are going and what you are doing. If you are going up mountains would say snow boots, can get them quite cheapily.

Where are you staying, a city or in the mountains? Either way if you're buying your footwear beforehand make sure you have time to wear them in and get really comfy.

Oooh, lucky you.
DH is part Austrian and we find the rellies to put comfort and practicality above high fashion - so the locals will most likely be in good quality warm clothes.
I have some Merell boots that are really good for cold weather but still look nice and a warm padded coat from Landsend. The cafes etc tend to get very warm so take layers and get some sheepskin gloves or similar.

I live in Bavaria (not too far ftom Austria) and notice you said ordinary walking boots, not just ordinary fashion boots. If you mean proper hiking boots they will be fine and probably better than many high-street/ fashion snow boots. I don't buy snowboots any more as I have good hiking boots, and some snowboots turn out not to be properly waterproof, so rubbish in slush, sleet or rain.

As others say you might or might not have snow at Christmas - snow is more likely in January and February - but if you're at high altitude it's obviously more likely at Christmas than if you're not actually in the mountains.

Have fun!

I second the layers for the rest of your clothing - you'll be warm indoors, lots of open fires as well as heating in catering establishments and ski hotels (assuming that you're fully vaccinated to be allowed to sit inside - but you'll need that for the hotel and plane too so safe assumption).

I wear Uniqlo heattech extra warm wide neck short sleeve t-shirts under Uniqlo heattech extra warm polo necks, and their leggings under my jeans, and a warm jumper and snowboard jacket. Can then remove coat and jumper (and theoretically polo neck if necessary) inside.

I lived in Austria for four years and snow could arrive as early as October and still on the ground in early April (I lived in upper Austria) so warm boots are essential imo. Also agree with pp who mentioned layers. Love Uniqlo heattech and the leggings/tights are great under trousers.

Thanks so much to everyone for the advice. I am going to Bad Hofgastein which is a Ski Resort. Sounds mad I know going somewhere we are not going to ski but we were there one summer and it's really lovely there. Would we be able to go hiking that time of year?

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme
I thought good hiking boots would be good enough which I already have.

Oh that's lovely.
There may be hikes at lower levels, but there will be walks on the mountain. Id get local advice on what's open when you are there.
Foot passenger lift passes are often very cheap, having lunch on the slopes would be well worth the effort.

We are also booked to go to Austria for a week over Xmas, to a ski resort and won't be skiing (well the kids will be!) there is so much to do where we are going which doesn't involve skiing! we went to the same place a few years again and it felt so magical with the snow and Xmas markets etc. We thoroughly enjoyed it! I have walking snow boots from mountain warehouse, and they were perfect. Just keeping fingers crossed that we can still go after the recent news

Absolutely agree to taking good quality light thermal underclothes to wear all the time. They make such a difference to your comfort indoors and outdoors.

We have T-shirts and leggings. Brilliant.

I'm also supposed to be going to Austria for Christmas (skiing though). Fingers crossed that we are all actually able to make our trips!

I used to have some warm-lined waterproof knee high boots from Ecco. They lasted years and saw me through several really cold UK winters as well as January in Stockholm. My feet stayed dry and toasty even in snow and they looked fairly smart too (I could easily pull them off with a work dress or jeans and nice top for an evening out). I'd really like some more actually.

This is the kind of thing:

gb.ecco.com/en-GB/Women/Shoes/product/5643142303/ECCO-MODTRAY-W

Hopefully it will go ahead but if not there isn't too much we can do about it. I actually didn't realise how low the uptake was in people getting the vaccine in Austria until recently. It just shows that we just can't get excited about anything anymore because it could be cancelled at any moment.

Just thought I'd come back to this thread as I know a couple of you planning to go to Austria for Christmas, (we are as well) are you all still going? Or have you cancelled? I'm still in 2 minds, but dh is adamant it'll all be fine and I'm just a worry wart! 😂

Definitely still going.

Nothing to add, just to echo snow boots/hiking boots are a must in snow- just very jealous of you and the people who live/have lived in Austria/Bavaria, I ADORE that part of the World.

Campfirewood
I would love to retire there.

I live in Bavaria about 20 min from the Austrian border. If you’re going to a ski resort (or even on a city break) you definitely need boots with a good profile to stop you slipping. Make sure they’re waterproof and use a spray to protect them as standing n the snow often leads to damp socks otherwise. I put sheepskin insoles in my boots in winter and wear wool socks which are warmer.

Even though the lockdown has ended restrictions are still in place and they are being super strict. Make sure you can access your proof of vaccination on your phone and have ID with you to verify it otherwise you’ll get turned away.

Another thing - Austria is one of the few places you can still smoke indoors meaning if you go to a bar or restaurant you’ll end up stinking of smoke. So I’d pack more changes of clothes than usual too.

chloechloe
Thanks for that.

Just found out a couple of hours ago that Austria require a PCR test for anyone over 12 even if vaccinated. We now have to fork out more money tomorrow for all of us to be tested. I'm starting to think we should have cancelled but we're ploughing on with it.

I live here - it’s not true that smoking is allowed indoors, it was made illegal (finally!) in 2019.

Re shoes; I wear good hiking boots in the snow, with spikes if I’m going to be doing a proper walk through a snowy landscape. i.e. without spikes if I’m in the city and it’s snowed but has been gritted, with spikes if I’m in a ski resort.

Clothing-wise, all winter, I wear the same thing 😳 - a tight-fitting icebreaker merino wool base layer (200) underneath a merino wool jumper, polo neck when it’s really cold. That’s enough for me. I have a warm coat, hat, scarf and lined leather gloves.

I hope you manage to get here!
Austria offers free testing, pcr and antigen, for tourists too; so if you need to test before your return home, you won’t have to pay for it.

custardcreme
Thanks for that. On my way now to get a PCR test for entry to Austria which is just another added expense. Before going I was in contact with a few places in Austria and they were all charging tourists for Antigen and PCR tests. Let's hope they don't go into full lockdown while we're there. I was so excited up until last night when new information came out.